John Coltrane once said, Let the music speak for itself." The guitarist/composer and band leader Christopher Jentsch adds an interesting twist on that subject by opting to describe himself when asked about the broader subject of how to capture his music in his own words. I think of myself as a composer/guitarist working with contemporary improvisational forms on the fringe of jazz, but jazz that is inclusive of rock/pop, world music and classical genres. I also strive generally for a balance between lyricism and dissonance and a deliberate combination of complexity and simplicity--with a smattering of the avant-garde," he says. We play tunes, for sure, but a certain amount of free improvisation is also important to the mix. Since I have used so many different things in my development as a source material, sometimes I use the term 'hopelessly eclectic' to suggest a confrontation with categorization."
AAJ Contributor Ludwig van Trikt spoke at length with Jentsch, about growing up in the '60s, the shifting landscape of the music industry and its impact on the logistics of running a large ensemble, and more.
Check out Chris Jentsch: Cycles and Reflecting on the Journey at AAJ today!
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